Bear padded slowly to Welita, which made Naomi frown. The poor girl was getting old. She wondered what happened to animals when they died. She ached with the thought that Welita might be losing Bear soon, knowing how much she loved that dog.
She smiled as Chuy jogged up the porch steps and scooped Bear up with one hand. Turning, he handed her to a little girl with strawberry curls and a splattering of freckles on her nose. “Here you go, Little Orphan Annie. Take Bear inside with you.”
“My name’s not Annie; it’s Emma. Megan,” she whined. “Chuy’s calling me Annie again.”
Naomi chuckled and shook her head. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to the fact that Chuy married Megan. After the shooting, Chuy and Megan became inseparable. She didn’t know what to think about that. She’d never seen him so taken by a girl before. It wasn’t until he took Megan to meet Welita that Naomi saw that he had fallen head over heels in love with her. He’d never taken anyone to meet their grandmother.
In broken Spanish, Megan spoke to Welita. Naomi was impressed and touched that Megan would learn another language just for her grandmother. She could tell that Welita loved it.
It was when Megan was shown a photo of Naomi and Chuy that Naomi really started to like her. How could she not like someone who called her the most beautiful girl she’d ever seen? Megan even blushed with embarrassment when she was told that Naomi and Lash were an item.
That made Naomi smile.
When Naomi first saw that Chuy and Megan were about to marry, she thought it was too quick. They hardly knew each other. Then she remembered the time difference between Earth and Heaven and had a change of heart, especially now that Megan was eight months pregnant.
“Chuy, stop teasing her.” Megan slapped his arm playfully. “Welita, come inside. It’s too hot to be out.”
Welita looked into the sky and waved. Naomi waved back. Thanks to Megan and Emma, she felt a sense of peace, knowing that Welita would be spending her last days surrounded by those who loved her.
“I’m just having a little chat with my Naomi. She’s happy today,” Welita said as Chuy helped her out of her chair.
“Blow her a big kiss for me, Welita,” Megan said as she ushered Emma into the house.
Naomi laughed. “Back at you, Megan.”
She felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist, and she sighed.
“Having a good visit?” Lash’s warm breath caressed her ear.
“Mmm, hmm.” She leaned back into his chest.
“Did you tell her?” His nose glided down her neck, creating a ripple of goose bumps at his touch.
“Yes,” she said breathlessly. She loved it when he did that to her. It was a feeling she would never get tired of.
He turned her around and with a finger under her chin, lifted her face to look up at him. “Any reservations?”
Light hazel eyes searched her face, and she knew that he meant more than the binding ceremony.
She took his hand into hers. “It took me a while to adjust to being here. It wasn’t easy.”
“And now?”
“I’m not saying it’s easier. I don’t think it ever will be. But one thing I know for sure. Whatever challenge I face in serving my role as a seraph, I know that with you by my side, we can accomplish anything.”
“Even with Gabrielle as your supervisor?” He smirked. “You could be your own boss if you were an archangel. It’s not too late to change your mind.”
“Yes, even with her. And I’m not changing my mind. And you”—she poked his chest— “need help in your work relationship with Gabrielle. Is there some kind of angel employee assistance program here? You could use some counseling.”
He chuckled. “Okay, okay. She’s not that bad.”
“Not ‘that bad’? She saved your life.”
He let out a playful grumble. “Hey, I did invite her to the binding ceremony.”
“Yes, you did. And I’m so proud of you for that.” She got on her tiptoes and pecked his nose. “What about you? Getting cold feet?”
His beautiful face grew serious, and his eyes looked deeply into hers. “Naomi, I’ve waited for you for centuries. Nothing is going to stop me from making you mine.”
23
Rays of light filtered into the Room of Offerings, dancing on the statuettes that lined the shelves. Lash picked one up. It was shaped in Jeremy’s likeness. He was thankful that it had survived his previous bout of destruction because it was the only reminder of Jeremy he had left.
At the time, when he thought he’d never see Naomi again, he had wanted to break everything in sight. He’d been so angry at all of them―Jeremy, Raphael, and Gabrielle―for keeping secrets and taking Naomi away from him. He had blamed them all. He hadn’t known they were actually bringing Naomi back to him.
“I miss you, my friend. I can’t get out of my head the horrible things I said to you. I wish I could take them back.” He fingered Jeremy’s likeness. It was perfection in his hands: perfect face, perfect smile, perfect body. He was like others had claimed him to be—a god among men. And Lash didn’t care, not anymore.
“I understand the love you have for Naomi. I didn’t at first.” He shook his head. “I was so jealous and...afraid.”
His voice dropped to a whisper. “Everyone loved you, worshipped you. In their eyes, you could do no wrong. And me?”
He let out a sigh. “I was the exact opposite. It didn’t bother me before. It wasn’t until I had something, someone I wanted, that I even noticed. When I saw that you loved her, I thought that you wanted her, that you wanted to take her away from me. I was wrong.”
He placed the statuette back onto the shelf and closed the glass door. He pressed a hand and forehead against the cool glass, not wanting to leave the only thing that was a part of Jeremy.
“Why did it take losing you to know that you’re one of the best things to happen in my life? I had you and Raphael with me all those years, and I took you for granted. And now, on the day I’m to be bound with Naomi”—his voice croaked, and he swallowed thickly—“you won’t be by my side, and I want you there. I need you there with me...by my side...One. More. Time.”
Lash paced beneath a large white cherry tree in the garden, brushing a hand through his thick locks. Uri, who was to stand by his side during the ceremony, snickered each time he passed him.
Lash threw him a glare. He was not helping the situation. Was this what people meant by cold feet? He hadn’t thought he was going to be nervous. Where was she? She’d probably come to her senses and was hiding out somewhere.
He heard approaching footsteps, and he whirled around. “Oh,” he said, looking disappointed when Raphael and Gabrielle came into view.
Gabrielle frowned. “Why does that not surprise me?”
“I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just...I...oh, never mind.” He threw up his hands and continued to pace.
Raphael chuckled. “He’s a bit nervous, Gabrielle. I’m sure he means nothing by it. Lash, Michael will be here shortly.”
Lash nodded as he continued to pace, wringing his hands.
“Lash,” Uri said under his breath as he walked with him. “If you want to make a fast getaway, I can tell Gabrielle about the secret stash of Cuban cigars, and we can get you booted out again.” He grinned, waggling his eyebrows.
He stopped and glared at Uri. “Not helping, man.”
“Uri, stop teasing him.” Rachel’s soprano voice echoed from a distance.
Lash turned around and gasped. Naomi was a vision to behold. White fluttered around her as she walked to him wearing a delicate white dress that fell to her ankles. It was a simple dress with pink roses that lined the collar and around her waist. Dark hair fell down in soft waves onto her shoulders. Her cheeks were tinted pink, and pale blue eyes danced with excitement. She was dazzling. His heart ached at the sight of her.